Green Moutain Series Josie Sm Jumbo

[Mark Hatcher]

I've voiced the back and glued it on:





Today the top is going on and the body will be closed!

Mark

[Nemoman]

Simply stunning!

[doodahdoug]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

I've voiced the back and glued it on:





Today the top is going on and the body will be closed!

Mark

Mark, I love the back strip you incorporated to go with that gorgeous Leopardwood. Looking forward to seeing this one completed!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Simply stunning!

Thanks Nemoman!

Originally Posted by doodahdoug

Mark, I love the back strip you incorporated to go with that gorgeous Leopardwood. Looking forward to seeing this one completed!

Thanks doodahdoug, I’m shooting to have this one ready for the Artisan show. You may be able to take it for a spin if you can make it to Harrisburg come April.

Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

I closed up the small jumbo Josie. This is a Western Red Cedar top:



Thanks for viewing!
Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

I'm using a lot of Snakewood for trim on the small Jumbo. I've been making binding, and bevel laminates etc. Here I am bending the Snakewood body binding:



Setting up the binding and purfling where they follow separate paths at the bevels:



And more gluing and taping:



A few years ago I blew out my right hand thumb knuckle and had to have surgery to clean it up because of the way I was pulling my thumb down sideways while pulling the binding tape tight.
Advise to other builders: Don't do that! Keep your thumb pointed straight at the tape when pulling down.
Another benefit of doing it that way is if you keep the tip of your thumb pressing into the center (width) of the tape you can pull down a lot harder without the edge of the binding cutting through the tape. There's my thumb tip and trick for the day!

Mark

[mikealpine]

I love how this is turning out! Any hints on what you’re doing with the fretboard? Any inlays?

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

I love how this is turning out! Any hints on what you’re doing with the fretboard? Any inlays?

Thanks Mike, well I’ll say we’re going to see some more green turquoise and Snakewood.

M

[hat]

I find it refreshing that you spend the extra time to do a different bracing and voicing on the back. So many are stuck in the standard ladder braced back mode. I think the back can be made to contribute so much to the tone, if only we take the time to find that sweet spot for it.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by hat

I find it refreshing that you spend the extra time to do a different bracing and voicing on the back. So many are stuck in the standard ladder braced back mode. I think the back can be made to contribute so much to the tone, if only we take the time to find that sweet spot for it.

Thanks Tom, While ladder braced backs have their merits and place I believe the tonality of an active back when properly voiced is preferable for most fingerstyle playing styles. While people may have different tonal preferences, the haptic response of an active back certainly falls into the category of an objective improvement over the coffin like feel of a heavily backed guitar.

Mark

[Lonzo]

That leopard wood is something else.. drop dead georgeous !

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Lonzo

That leopard wood is something else.. drop dead georgeous !

The Leopardwood certainly has an animal aspect to it. Adding the Snakewood even makes it more pronounced.
Thanks Lonzo!

Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

Here are some body pictures. The body is dry and without finish:









On to the neck!

Mark

[Joe Whitman]

This is looking beautiful Mark! I always enjoy following your posts. Thanks for sharing the tip on how not to blow out your thumb. I’ll be paying more attention to that as I attach my bindings this time.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Joe Whitman

This is looking beautiful Mark! I always enjoy following your posts. Thanks for sharing the tip on how not to blow out your thumb. I’ll be paying more attention to that as I attach my bindings this time.

You’re welcome Joe. I hope you find it helpful. Thanks for commenting!

Mark